CCPD

CAREER SERVICES

CENTER FOR CAREER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

ABOUT US

The Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) provides students and alumni the knowledge, skills, values and opportunities that are essential to fulfilling their career goals. Through partnerships with employers, faculty and staff, CCPD prepares students to take their job search into the 21st century and succeed in today’s competitive job market.

Our goal as the Center for Career & Professional Development is for students to be:

EXCITED about their future

ENGAGED in pursuing career goals

CONNECTED to networking opportunities and professional branding

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Career Planning/Advisement

Selecting a Major

Professional Skills Training

Career Workshops

Career Assessments

Job Search Assistance

Resume Reviews

Interview Preparation

Mock Interviews

Job Fairs

On-Campus Recruitment (OCR)

Information Sessions

Networking/Mentoring Opportunities

Online Resources

CAREER CONNECT

STUDENTS

Our goal is to help you plan your professional path and obtain employment. Kick start your career journey with LaGuardia’s Career Connect!Career Connect links students with career opportunities posted by various employers, experiential learning opportunities, on-campus recruitment and more!

ALUMNI

Welcome back Alumni! We encourage you to stay connected with us and to utilize our services and resources. You may register with the CCPD within one year of completing your degree requirements, which entitles you to one year of service.

FACULTY / STAFF

Career Connect allows you to view and recommend jobs to students; research employers; view workshops, career fairs and information sessions; as well as connect with Career Explorer

FIND YOUR DREAM JOB FROM YOUR MOBILE DEVICE!

Career by Symplicity App allows you to take your job search on-the-go with smart features to easily search and apply for jobs, manage your on-campus recruiting activities; and connect with employers before, during and after job fairs.

You manage your own account on the system 24/7. Start by registering with our office; follow the guidelines below to access Career Connect.

DOWNLOAD CAREERS BY SYMPLICITY APP NOW!

MEET OUR TEAM

JESSICA PEREZ

Director

Jessica Perez is the Director of the Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) in the Division of Student Affairs.

Jessica earned her Master’s in Public Administration from Metropolitan College of New York and her Bachelor’s Degree in English and Sociology from Binghamton University.

In June 2013, she completed the New York City Management Academy, a selective leadership-training program for City of New York managers and executives.

She is a certified Myers Briggs Type Indicator practitioner who brings over 10 years of experience in career and professional development.

Prior to joining LaGuardia’s CCPD in June 2014, she worked for five years at Bronx Community College as the Assistant Director of Career & Transfer Services, as well as, an Adjunct Lecturer for the Cooperative Work Experience Program and Freshmen Year Seminar.

SHARON LONG

Employment Specialist

Sharon Long is an Employment Specialist in the Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD).

She has over fifteen years of experience in nurturing the growth and development of the students she works with by sharing her expertise in various areas, including business, communication and networking skills, interview techniques, job readiness and resume development.

Her post-graduate career started at CBS News “60 Minutes”, followed by stints at TAXI and Child magazine, the East Harlem Council for Community Improvement and various positions at LaGuardia Community College.

As an Advisory Board Member of the Founding Chapter of the New York Coalition of One Hundred Black Women, she introduced LaGuardia Community College students to “The Signature Role Model Program,” a Coalition initiative that provides opportunities for young women to learn practical workplace skills and shadow professional women in their chosen careers.

Sharon received her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Queens College.

MARILYN RAMIREZ

Administrative Assistant

Marilyn Ramirez is the Administrative Assistant in the Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD).

She assists the Director and staff with day to day operations, planning of events, scheduling and overall management of front office operations.

After completing her Associates of Applied Science in Computer Programming at LaGuardia Community College, Marilyn was offered a full time position at the college.

Prior to working at CCPD, she was an Intern for the Director of Academic Computing, CUNY Office Assistant in the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, and in the Division of Adult and Continuing Education Employment Services Center.

Marilyn is a proud Alumni of the college and is dedicated to meeting the career and professional development needs of students.

RACHEL WAHBA

Program Manager for America Needs You

Rachel Wahba is the LaGuardia Program Manager for the America Needs You Partner Fellows Program at LaGuardia Community College, housed at the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD).

Rachel received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development, with a minor in Global Studies and concentration in Psychology from Binghamton University. She received her Master of Education and Master of Arts degrees, both in Psychological Counseling, from Teachers College, Columbia University.

As the LaGuardia Program Manager, Rachel oversees the facilitation of career development workshops, matches LaGuardia Fellows with Mentor Coaches, and provides holistic support for LaGuardia Fellows.

Rachel joins the LaGuardia community with years of experience in counseling and advising in the education field, particularly CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College, Hudson County Community College, and TRIO Upward Bound at Columbia University. Rachel also has experience in providing psychotherapy for children, adults, and older adults in the South Bronx.

WENDY NICHOLSON

CUNY LEADS Advisor

Wendy Nicholson is the CUNY LEADS Advisor at the Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD). Wendy has been instrumental in helping students with disabilities to identify, recognize, develop and harness their unique experiences into successful employment and internship opportunities. Since graduating from Tufts University with her BS in Psychology, Wendy has been an advocate for individuals in the mental health and disabilities communities, including being certified as an American Sign Language interpreter. She is a phenomenal writer and orator with over 40 years of experience, and a strong command of both the written and oral word.

DANNY BERNARD

Employment Specialist

Danny Bernard is an Employment Specialist in the Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD).

He received his Master of Science in Urban Affairs from Hunter College, Bachelors of Science in Sociology from Lehman College, and an Associate of Science in Liberal Arts from LaGuardia Community College.

Mr. Bernard worked with Brooklyn Community Services (formerly known as the Brooklyn Bureau of Community Services) for 10 years as a Job Developer, working with individuals with disabilities and assisting them with finding gainful employment.

He decided to give back to his alma mater, and since 2007, he has been using his employer development skills to assist fellow LaGuardians as they start on their career paths.

YEVGENIYA (YEVI) GRANOVSKAYA

Senior Career Advisor

Yevgeniya (Yevi) Granovskaya is a Senior Career Advisor at the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD).

Yevi has worked at LaGuardia with college students, adult learners and job seekers from diverse backgrounds since 2005; first in the Division of Adult and Continuing Education and currently in the Division of Student Affairs.

During her years at LaGuardia, Yevi has enjoyed assisting students with setting goals, exploring career options, as well as with developing professional presentation and confidence to persist in their journeys to college and career success.

Yevi holds an M.S.Ed. in Counseling and Personnel Services from Fordham University and a B.B.A.in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Baruch Colleges.

Crystal Foster

Career Engagement Assistant

Crystal Foster is the Career Engagement Assistant in the Center for Career & Professional Development. She is a current LaGuardia student pursuing an Associate in Science in Dietetic Technician. She joined the CCPD team in March 2016.